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Cornell AFROTCDetachment 520Ever Upward

Detachment 520Cornell University

Official portrait of TSgt. Jalen J.A. Gayle in service dress before the United States flag.

Officer Accessions Instructor

Technical Sergeant Jalen J.A. Gayle

TSgt. Jalen J.A. Gayle is an Officer Accessions Instructor at Detachment 520, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. In this capacity, he serves as an instructor and primary enlisted advisor on cadet academics, professional development, military discipline, and welfare for United States Air Force and United States Space Force officer candidates. Additionally, he is directly responsible for all cadet life-cycle personnel actions, including in-processing, medical, physical, field training, enlistments, categorization, and commissioning, and oversees cadet pay actions including tuition, fees, subsistence, and textbook funds.

Career

TSgt. Gayle enlisted in the Air Force in January 2018. After completing Basic Military Training, he graduated structures technical school at Gulfport Naval Base in August 2018. Prior to his current position, Sergeant Gayle was the Structures Craft Lead, 819th RED HORSE Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Montana.

After graduation from technical training, TSgt. Gayle was assigned to Misawa AB as a Structural Apprentice. During this period, he was assigned to Snow Removal Operations in 2019 and was part of the 35th CES unit that won the #1 best snow team in the Air Force. Following Misawa AB, TSgt. Gayle moved to Malmstrom AFB and became a structural supervisor and craft lead for a Large Vertical Construction team, helping fabricate a Unit Assembly Area facility for the 819th RED HORSE Squadron. His efforts contributed to his team winning the General Mark A. Welsh III “One Air Force” Award.

Education

  • 2015 — Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Central State University, Ohio

  • 2018 — Structures Technical Training, Gulfport Naval Base, Miss.

  • 2021 — Airman Leadership School, Misawa AB, Japan

  • 2022 — Associate of Applied Science, Construction Technology, Community College of the Air Force

Assignments

  1. January 2018 – March 2018, Trainee, 323rd Basic Military Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas

  2. March 2018 – September 2018, Student, 366th Student Training Squadron, Gulfport NB, Mississippi

  3. October 2018 – April 2021, Structural Apprentice, 35th Civil Engineering Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan

  4. May 2021 – March 2025, Structural Supervisor, 819th RED HORSE Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Montana

  5. March 2025 – Present, Officer Accessions Instructor, AFROTC Detachment 520, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

Major awards and decorations

  • Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

  • Air Force Achievement Medal

Effective dates of promotion

  • Airman First ClassJanuary 16, 2018
  • Senior AirmanNovember 18, 2019
  • Staff SergeantJuly 1, 2021
  • Technical SergeantMay 1, 2025
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